Farmer Sees Organic Food Benefits
Posted on: Tuesday, 12 July 2005, 00:00 CDT
Jul. 12--FLANAGAN -- Evelyn Riebe saw the healthy benefits of organic food long before it was fashionable.
While growing up on the family farm near Flanagan, Riebe said she was troubled by a mysterious ailment that a doctor finally diagnosed as an allergic reaction to petrochemicals.
"This was 1954 when chemicals were first coming into the food chain," said Riebe, who said her problems ceased after she went to an organic diet.
Today Riebe, 71, owns the 200-acre Short Point Organic Farm, about 10 miles west of Pontiac, where she grows organic oats, corn and soybeans. "We try to convert more acres to certified organic each year," she said.
Organic farming has become one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture. Now a $12 billion sector of the U.S. food economy, organic farms are being promoted actively in the state of Illinois.
"Programs to train new and existing organic farmers can move Illinois into the forefront in this sector," said Gov. Rod Blagojevich, citing the state's $25 million investment to market value-added agricultural products.
Riebe said that while the organic market is growing, organic food remains labor-intensive. Although she has a tenant farmer do the actual farming, Riebe believes in a hands-on approach.
"I came from an age when you went out and pulled the weed. Today, the thinking is that if you can't mow it, spray it," she said.
Producing organic foods takes more effort but the benefits are there, said Riebe.
"I can't prove it but I think the organic product is more nutritious," she said. "We need to keep on the organic road. It can be done plus you can make a profit at it." Surrounded by conventional farms, Riebe said she's probably viewed as "a curiosity" by her neighbors.
Farmers who use chemicals and those who don't get along fine, she said. "My neighbors are cognizant of my situation. They only spray when there's no wind," said Riebe.
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Source: Journal Star
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User Comments (1)
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Posted by goingnatural on 08/08/2009, 21:11 I was excited to see the Sprouts open in Brea, but after shopping there I have mixed feelings. The chickn and beef are excellent, but the pork and lamb stay away from. I just threw away a whole pot of braised lamb shanks because it tasted like mutton. The produce, while plentiful, is not as fresh as Henry's. The cleaning and dairy section has a great assortment. In a nutshell, I will still have to shop two stores - Sprouts and Henrys because I cannot get everything that I need on a regular basis from just one store. |
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